Thoughts Before Nightfall by Abba Marie Moreno
Anna trudged her way to the top of the hill where a single tree stood. The sun was setting and the slopes were bathed in the sun’s glorious rays. She stood there under the shade of the wise tree—overlooking the whole Village of Arte Neo. The amihan played with her long black hair as it blew softly. Slowly, she closed her eyes and welcomed the cool wind’s kisses. As it passed, she opened her eyes and stared at the village.
She gave a sigh.
In a few days, I will be back there. Oh, how time passes, she thought.
She sat down among the blades of grass. She sighed once more. Rest was ephemeral. In a few more days, the village would be once again open to Wanderers—men and women like her, in search of The Purpose.
The Purpose, she thought to herself. I wonder why most Wanderers go to the Enlightened Villages in search of it. Purpose, a place where you belong? Purpose, something you ought to do? Purpose, an intricate plan of a good future. Future, who can say how much is left? Agggh. I think too much.
The orange ring of hydrogen and helium was gradually engulfed by the distant hills and valleys. She examined how the golden rays slowly moved away from her.
Time is fleeting. She thought.
Not too long ago, she was baffled by the thoughts of surviving the first Stage of Wandering. She had studied long and hard under Kemi’s Tree and had been terribly confused by the House of Freakalkyuloose. She had gone through a lot of mentors and wizards and what not. On particular days, hope did not seem to dawn her [Ironically, she was still up at dawn]. And yet, with fervent prayers, she survived Stage I of her First Year of Wandering.
She gave another sigh. Was it of relief? Or of weariness? Four and a half years more ‘til she receives The Purpose of an Alchemist. It’s a very long way to go.
After about four more years, I’d finally go through the Ritual of Enlightenment.
And finally, receive The Purpose—a diploma.
In Thrae, we’re all looking for The Purpose, or at least anything close to one. Perhaps for prestige? For money? For luxuries? Or for mere survival? And it’s sort of sad, I guess, that this is what we measure our lives with.
Maybe, deep inside, we’re looking for a purpose. [I guess that’s what we should measure our lives with.]
And we just get confused by our wants and needs and get lost. And confuse The Purpose for an actual one.
I’ve known many Wanderers, and sometimes, they forget what they’re really doing this for.
I’ve always known my purpose. I know why I’m here.
It’s the world, actually, who’s in search of why I’m here.
She smiled and took something from her pocket—pictures. They were slightly illuminated by the escaping sun but she could still see the figures in the pictures [and perhaps even without light, she could]. Nightfall was here and it’s about time to make her way back to the camp. She needed her rest, for in a few more days, she would be back in the Village of Arte Neo.
I do think too much. She sighed.
